The Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) in Palawan has opened a quarantine facility for its inmates and personnel who may be or are still infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said.
A previous report stated that as of last Aug. 27, 369 BuCor personnel and 645 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have had COVID-19 infections in the bureau’s seven prison facilities nationwide. Eight personnel from IPPF were among those in the list.
In a statement, BuCor said IPPF’s quarantine facility has been accredited by the Puerto Princesa City’s Incident Management Team (IMT) following an ocular inspection.
“On Sept. 15, 2021, the team had an ocular inspection to the lower part of the building to be used as the isolation center and quarantine facility in response to the request of IPPF if ever there would be future cases of close contacts with Covid-19 among BuCor personnel and PDLs,” it said.
“They also inspected the capability of the building, 2nd floor in particular, as a training center which will serve as a venue for seminars and training,” it noted.
After the ocular inspection, “a certification was issued to IPPF on Sept. 22, 2021, stating it has met the minimum health standard protocol,” it added.